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April 28, 2012 was not a significant Washington, D.C., sports day to most, but it was in my eyes.
On that day, I saw the Capitals participate in a Stanley Cup playoff game, the Redskins introduce quarterback Robert Griffin III to thousands of fans at FedEx Field and Nationals teenage phenomenon Bryce Harper make his major league debut, on the same night as another young star, Stephen Strasburg, pitched.
A question came up among the television media that day which I felt was a good one: What story do you lead your broadcast with that night? In the past, this answer would have been easy - the Redskins and RGIII. Well, that was then and this is now. A majority of us said Harper, Strasburg and the Nationals.
He would never admit it, but I think it was no coincidence that general manager Mike Rizzo called up Harper on that day versus the Dodgers instead of at home against Arizona a few days later. Injuries to other outfielders did make the move understandable, but don't believe for one minute Rizzo wasn't aware of all the other local sports news going on. It is also important to note that John Wall and the Wizards just finished the season, albeit a dismal one, on a six-game winning streak.
The bad news is Washington sports have been subpar for quite some time. The good news is that with all the futility have come high draft picks in each sport that are changing the athletic landscape. I would submit to you that just like there is an unspoken competition between the athletes to be the face of Washington sports, there is indeed a battle among the general managers to keep their squads in the front of everyone's mind and I for one love this "game within the game."
On your mark, get set ... let the race for relevance begin!
What are your thoughts and which team do you think will win a championship first?
